Will we have a reprise of the summer of sea lions?

You knew they’d be back. Newport Harbor is just too tempting.

The sea lions, which either delighted or aggravated you last summer, have returned to Newport Beach and their old spots: mainly moored boats.

This time, though, the city isn’t taking the sea lions sitting down. The city is fighting back with a “scarecrow” ? couldn’t someone have come up with a more clever moniker? ? that splashes the sea lions with water once they hop aboard an unsuspecting boat. Not exactly tough love, but how hard can you be on a federally protected sea mammal?

The big ? and, remember, these fellas can top 500 pounds ? question remains: Will the scarecrow work?

Like last year, when this story first broke and then made the media rounds worldwide, a lot of people are waiting to find out the answer.

Especially everyone who lives along the harbor.